紧跟 (jǐn gēn) — to follow closely, to keep in step with (literally or figuratively)

Definition

紧跟 (jǐn gēn) means to follow closely or keep in step with — physical (follow a person) or figurative (track trends, policies). 跟 alone is the neutral 'follow'; 紧 stresses the tight, immediate tracking.

verb
to follow closelyto keep in step with (literally or figuratively)

Examples

  • 紧跟，。
    Nǐ zuì hǎo jǐn gēn tā, bié zǒu diū le.
    You'd better follow him closely so you don't get lost.
  • 紧跟。
    Wǒ men bì xū jǐn gēn shí dài de bù fá.
    We must keep in step with the pace of the times.
  • 紧跟。
    Zhè jiā gōng sī yì zhí jǐn gēn shì chǎng de zuì xīn qū shì.
    This company has always closely followed the latest market trends.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

紧jǐnclose
跟gēnfollow

紧 means close or tight, 跟 means follow; together they express following closely.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 緊; 紧 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
臤
臤qiān緊jǐn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緊 pairs 糸 (thread) with 臤 as a sound part; the simplified 紧 is a later shorthand.

Open 紧 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
艮
艮gèn跟gēn
Same sound today

跟 is built from 足 (foot) plus 艮. The 足 part ties the character to foot-related senses, while 艮 gives the sound.

Open 跟 →

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